Yes, it is an art installation that is going on in the Ruhr area (close to Düsseldorf and Cologne). It used to be an area with heavy industry (steel and coal) and mines. A lot of it has become defunct now and the area has a lot of problems finding new employment for the people living there. The whole area is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe, but is made up of a number of cities.

The art project is only an huge "balloon" so to speak - I think it is supposed to supplement the huge old gas tank which is standing there (and which has a viewing platform). It is actually next to Germany's largest shopping mall.

The Ruhr area might not be the most obvious place to visit for tourists, but it is certainly an area that is very important in Germany's history and has some interesting sights. For example the "Villa Hügel" which was the very elaborate villa built for the Krupp family (owners of Krupp steel works). There is also an old coal mine which has been preserved and actually is a Unesco world heritage site, the "Zeche Zollverein".

Oh and Christo's best known project here in Germany would be the "Wrapped Reichstag", where he wrapped the whole Reichstag building which had not been in use since WWII as it was in Berlin just next to the Wall. After reunification it was planned to refurbish it so that it once again could house the German parliament and before they started the refurbishment, Christo was allowed to wrap it.

Sorry to hijack your thread here, but I have a question about these DIS only trips. Looking at the current ABD scheduling, I am interested in this trip, for next year. Are DIS exclusive trips generally the same trips each year? Or do they vary from year to year? I checked the DU website (as I am understanding that is where I would book this trip), and was pleasantly surprised at the quote. Another question, for DIS exclusive trips, is booking early important in regards to price? Or does that price not fluctuate for these DIS trips?

Sorry to hijack your thread here, but I have a question about these DIS only trips. Looking at the current ABD scheduling, I am interested in this trip, for next year. Are DIS exclusive trips generally the same trips each year? Or do they vary from year to year? I checked the DU website (as I am understanding that is where I would book this trip), and was pleasantly surprised at the quote. Another question, for DIS exclusive trips, is booking early important in regards to price? Or does that price not fluctuate for these DIS trips?

Thanks for the help!!

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Our Dis Exclusive Adventures are the same exact trip as the one offered by ABD....with some extra things added.

The difference is that we contract for the full Adventure and by doing so, lock in the lowest price. All pricing for this particular Adventure is listed in the first post of this thread.

Because the Dis Exclusive Adventures are contracted, the price does not change from the first person booked to the last. The price always remains the same.

This is not true with other ABD Adventures. The price increases as the trip fills. They work like DCL on a tier pricing model.

It is highly unlikely, that the Dis will repeat the Germany Adventure in 2014. In the past, we have offered Dis Exclusives on the Viva Italia Adventure, the City of Knights and Lights (London / Paris) and this year...Germany's Once Upon A Fairytale. We also offered two Backstage Magic Adventures this year (June & December) both of which sold out very quickly. It's for this reason that booking quickly comes into play.

2014 will most likely offer another two Backstage Magic Adventures and two trips abroad. As ABD doesnt release 2014 itineraries until sometime in May, we are not sure of the trips or the dates. We have ideas, but nothing is locked in until we hear whats available.

If you have further questions or there is any way I can further assist, I can be reached at Kevin@DreamsUnliitedTravel.com. I am the person that books all of the Dis Exclusive adventures.

Edited to add: We still have a couple of spaces open for this September's Adventure!

Our Dis Exclusive Adventures are the same exact trip as the one offered by ABD....with some extra things added.

The difference is that we contract for the full Adventure and by doing so, lock in the lowest price. All pricing for this particular Adventure is listed in the first post of this thread.

Because the Dis Exclusive Adventures are contracted, the price does not change from the first person booked to the last. The price always remains the same.

This is not true with other ABD Adventures. The price increases as the trip fills. They work like DCL on a tier pricing model.

It is highly unlikely, that the Dis will repeat the Germany Adventure in 2014. In the past, we have offered Dis Exclusives on the Viva Italia Adventure, the City of Knights and Lights (London / Paris) and this year...Germany's Once Upon A Fairytale. We also offered two Backstage Magic Adventures this year (June & December) both of which sold out very quickly. It's for this reason that booking quickly comes into play.

2014 will most likely offer another two Backstage Magic Adventures and two trips abroad. As ABD doesnt release 2014 itineraries until sometime in May, we are not sure of the trips or the dates. We have ideas, but nothing is locked in until we hear whats available.

If you have further questions or there is any way I can further assist, I can be reached at Kevin@DreamsUnliitedTravel.com. I am the person that books all of the Dis Exclusive adventures.

Edited to add: We still have a couple of spaces open for this September's Adventure!

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Thank you, Kevin!!
Unfortunately, we will be elsewhere during this years DIS trip.

How soon after ABD releases dates/itineraries does DU release their exclusive dates?

I'm wondering if anyone elses ears were burning tonight. I was talking about this trip with a family friend and he was stating how JEALOUS he was just reading the itinerary! He looked at DH and said "You are going to see things, do things, and smell things that you have never seen before."

I told him there were still spaces available but their vacation has already been planned for this year.

Are you and Christy going to Fauchon? If so, can you pick up a box of chocolates for Brian and me? I am still steamed that my son wolfed down all of the chocolate we bought in Paris before I got to try any.

Are you and Christy going to Fauchon? If so, can you pick up a box of chocolates for Brian and me? I am still steamed that my son wolfed down all of the chocolate we bought in Paris before I got to try any.

Laurie

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Absolutely! It's on our list of things to do. If there is a specific type of chocolate, just let me know. I think we will probably go with a shopping list.